A Humorous Example of Message Distortion
A MESSAGE ABOUT HALLEY'S COMET:
A COLONEL ISSUED THE FOLLOWING DIRECTIVE TO HIS EXECUTIVE OFFICER:
"Tomorrow evening at approximately 2200 hours Halley's
Comet will be visible in this area, an event which occurs only once every 76 years.
Have the men fall out in the battalion area in fatigues and I will explain this rare
phenomenon to them. In case of rain we will not be able to see anything, so assemble
the men in the theatre and I will show them films of it."
EXECUTIVE OFFICE TO organization COMMANDER:
"By order of the colonel in fatigues at 2200 hours
tomorrow evening, the phenomenal Halley's Comet will appear in the theatre. In case
of rain in the battalion area, the colonel will give another order, something which occurs
once every 76 years."
organization COMMANDER TO LIEUTENANT:
"By order of the colonel in fatigues at 2200 hours
tomorrow evening, the phenomenal Halley's Comet will appear in the theatre. In case
of rain in the battalion area, the colonel will give another order, something which occur
once every 76 years."
LIEUTENANT TO SERGEANT:
"Tomorrow at 2200 hours the colonel will appear in the
theatre with Halley's Comet, something which occurs every 76 years. If it rains, the
colonel will order the comet into the battalion area."
SERGEANT TO SQUAD:
"When it rains tomorrow at 2200 hours, the phenomenal 76
year old General Halley, accompanied by the colonel, will drive his comet through the
battalion area theatre in fatigues."